NATO awaits new Czech government's decision on continuation of munitions initiative

BRUSSELS - According to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, it is still premature to decide whether the organisation could replace the Czech Republic in providing artillery ammunition to Ukraine under the so-called ammunition initiative. The Alliance is now awaiting the decision of the incoming Czech government on whether and how the project will continue. This was stated by an unnamed NATO official.

The ammunition initiative, launched by the Czech Republic in the spring of this year, aims to provide Ukraine with millions of pieces of artillery ammunition from non-European sources. The project was created as a response to the long-standing ammunition shortage that the Ukrainian army is facing in its war with Russia. At the time, the Czech government brokered the purchase of ammunition through an international coalition of more than 20 countries that committed to contribute financially or logistically. According to sources in Brussels, NATO was not directly involved in the project, on the grounds that it was a voluntary initiative of individual member states outside the framework of alliance structures. Nevertheless, the Alliance has long supported the project as an important complement to its activities in support of Ukraine.

However, after the recent parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic, it is unclear whether the new government will want to continue the initiative in the same form. "The Alliance is monitoring the situation and awaiting the decision of the new Czech government. Only then will it be possible to assess further steps," the NATO diplomat said, adding that the question of a possible takeover of the project by the alliance "is not topical". According to information from the Czech side so far, the logistics part of the initiative remains operational, while further orders and payments are on hold until the cabinet approves continued funding. Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Denmark, among others, have previously expressed support for the project. Ukraine has repeatedly stressed that the supply of artillery ammunition is crucial to maintaining the country's defence, especially as fighting intensifies on the eastern front.

gnews.cz - GH